Hey all! So many reviews... I feel so honored.... Anyway, this is chapter 11, as you obviously know, and the dedication this time goes to babygurl, whose reviews make me all warm and fuzzy, and who's taken the time to read and review each chapter so far! Thanks, babygurl! Now, let's proceed to my favorite part, replying to reviews!

Chisa and Neko: Hey, guys! LOL yeah those Cadbury eggs are so tempting... and they make you so darn hyper.... anyway, I'm glad you still like the story! I'm sorry I had to stoop down to quasi-original, but I promise, the next few chappies will be non-stereotypical! Stick with us, please? chibi eyes

babygurl: This one's for you, babygurl, for all your faithful reviews! That's totally high praise coming from anyone, especially from you, girl, so thanks so much for boosting my confidence yet again! About your question.... well, I'll say that, since Bakura respects his hikari's privacy, he wouldn't listen to everything that's being said, especially when it's obviously so personal. However, that doesn't stop him from watching to make sure Ryou's okay; he just doesn't eavesdrop on anything if he can help it. Think of it as television with the mute button on!

You have no idea what it means to hear someone say I have talent, thanks so much again! I hope this chapter can go at least part way to repaying you for being such a cool, amazing person. glomps babygurl

daisy: Aww, thanks! huggles daisy and nuva right back Yeah, it might still be a while before we have a full complement of three couples, but I hope you enjoy every step along the road to getting Ryou and Bakura together! Glad nuva's getting used to the fluff, that means Mr. Snuffles won't have to hurt her anymore! Hope to see you both after chapter 11!

Assassin of the Shadows: Sorry that you don't like the way I'm portraying Bakura... I promise, he starts improving in this chapter! I hope you keep reading; I'd hate if you quit out of disappointment in the story!

Starfly: Better late than never! I'm overjoyed to have a new fan, especially one as sweet and eloquent as you! Don't worry, I'm pumping them out as fast as I can. Hope you keep reading and reviewing, I look forward to hearing from you again!

Princess Strawberry: And there's more Y/Y fluff where that came from, especially in this chapter. You'll get cavities, girl! I hope this one lives up to expectations! I know a talented authoress like you is busy, but I love your feedback, so please try to R/R!

Warnings: FLUFF!!! That's about it for now!

Disclaimer: Guardian-chan no own!

Chapter 11: The Morning Light

Ryou woke up to sunlight streaming through the window and his room totally straightened up. There was no evidence that the barricade had ever existed, and the door was slightly ajar, which could mean only one thing; Bakura had managed to get in.

Cautiously, Ryou crept from his bed, checking any place a psychotic, 5,000-year-old spirit might be hiding. Finding nothing, he breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back against the wall. His peace was short-lived, though, as the door swung open suddenly, making Ryou jump out of his skin.

"Get a move on, hikari. You're going to be late!" Is that Bakura's voice? He sounds so... not mean. As Ryou pondered on this train of thought, his yami closed the door softly behind him. He didn't slam it... weird. Very weird. What game's he playing now?

One glance at the clock told him that his yami was right; he was running more than a little late. Throwing on his school uniform, Ryou dragged a comb through his hair and hurried down to breakfast.

Bakura was leaning against the kitchen counter when Ryou arrived downstairs, eating a bowl of cereal. Another bowl, along with milk, a spoon, and the cereal box, was sitting neatly on the table. Shocked, Ryou let his mouth hang open as Bakura calmly finished eating, rinsed off the dishes, and put them into the dishwasher. No mess... breakfast made... cleaning up after himself... either we're in the Twilight Zone, or I've gone insane.

"Your diet is none of my business, hikari, but I would think that cereal would be more nutritious than however many flies you manage to catch with your mouth that wide open." Under Ryou's discriminating gaze, the darker of the two shook out a bowlful of cereal, poured in just enough milk so that the marshmallow chunks floated without getting soggy, and pushed it all towards Ryou. "Come on, eat! The last thing you need is to pass out from hunger during Math class or something. Don't worry, it's not poisoned."

Ryou took the proffered food and began to eat. "Thank you very much, Bakura." he said politely between bites.

"Don't mention it, please," replied his yami, tossing Ryou's bag on the table. "Here, it's already packed. I trust you have enough money for lunch? I can go hunt around your dad's room for some if you like."

Nodding pleasantly, Ryou bolted down the last few mouthfuls of his breakfast, grabbed his book bag, and turned to leave by the back door. He was almost out when he looked back at the spirit, who was already settling in on the living room sofa.

"Thanks again for everything this morning, yami," he said, and rushed out the door. Bakura waved it off, leaned back, and sighed.

"This being nice stuff is going to be the death of me," he muttered.

* * *

Over at the game shop, Yugi had awoken fairly early to find Yami conspicuously absent. A quick mental probe told him the pharaoh was downstairs, not brooding in the Puzzle as he was prone to do. That's a good sign, the small boy thought as he reached out for his love. /Yami, what's going on?/ he called out across their link.

//Be there in a minute, aibou.// came the reply, and sure enough Yami's slow, deliberate footsteps were heard on the stairs within the next five minutes. The spirit took longer than usual getting upstairs, and when he arrived, Yugi saw why.

His yami was carrying a tray upon which rested a platter laden with eggs, bacon, toast, freshly-cut fruit, and a rather large glass of orange juice. Setting his cargo down to the right of his hikari, the ex-pharaoh sat down carefully on Yugi's right.

"Hope you like it, aibou," he said even as his boyfriend's eyes began to cloud over. Slowly, violet met crimson.

"You did all this for me?" the shorter boy asked, overcome by emotion.

"It was really no trouble at all, aibou, and besides, I felt guilty. We didn't get to spend any time together last night, after all. I thought this was the least I could do...." Yugi didn't miss how Yami's cheeks reddened ever so slightly.

I don't believe it. It's my fault we didn't get to do anything last night, my staying on the phone too long with Ryou, and he feels guilty, like he has to make it up to me, instead of the other way around. What did I do to deserve such a great guy?

In one swift move, the hikari crawled into his yami's lap and pulled him into the most sensual kiss he could, giving Yami just a hint of tongue without turning it into a face-sucking session, his lips moving slowly against his counterpart's, trapping first his top, then bottom lip in between Yugi's own. When they finally parted, both boys were panting hard enough that it could be thought that they had just run a marathon.

"Where... where'd you learn to kiss like that?" the spirit gasped.

"You didn't like it?" The smirk on Yugi's face was positively evil.

Yami laughed, crushing Yugi's lips to his forcefully for the briefest moment before laying him against his still bare, well-muscled chest, and pulling over the breakfast tray. Picking up a strip of bacon, he held it before his hikari. "Open up, love," he admonished.

"So you're feeding me now, Yami?" the lighter of the two replied around a mouthful of bacon. "How romantic."

"Just what I was aiming for." the spirit of the puzzle chuckled as he held the glass of juice to his boyfriend's lips, chasing the sweet liquid with another quick kiss.

This is quickly shaping up to be the best breakfast in history, Yugi decided, nuzzling closer to Yami's warmth.

* * *

Joey woke up with two things; a splitting headache and a nose that was running like a faucet. Groaning, he tried to get out of bed, but ran out of energy halfway up, falling back down into the nest of pillows that was Seto's obscenely comfortable bed. I told him we'd get sick, he thought bitterly just before he realized that it was business as usual with his boyfriend, who at the moment was showering. Damn, but he gets up early.

Soon enough, Seto came out, wearing a pair of silk boxers and toweling off his hair. He stopped short when he saw the pitiful mess that had only a few hours ago been his vibrant, perky boyfriend. "What happened to you?" he asked, trying to keep the smile from his face.

Sniffling, Joey tried to rise again, and failed once more. "I told you we'd get sick last night," he said, his voice leagues more nasal than usual. Compassionately, the brunet tossed him a box of tissues, and the other boy nodded his thanks as he blew his nose. "You seem fine," he said, his voice slightly improved. "Guess I don't have the invincible Kaiba genes, huh?"

"Guess not," Seto laughed, "Then again, you're not a Kaiba." He leaned in close, giving the blond a quick peck on the cheek. "Glad you aren't. That would really complicate things."

The shorter boy rolled his eyes. "Whatever. You better go, or you'll be late."

Seto was suddenly all business again. "You sure you don't want me to stay here and take care of you, pup?" he asked, sitting down on the bed and interlacing his fingers with his love's.

"Nah," Joey refused halfheartedly, "You've gotta go in. Get my homework, tell the others I'm okay." At Seto's worried look, the other boy added to his previous statement. "Look, if I need anything, I've got the servants. That's what you pay them for, right?" That comment drew a smile from the brunet. "Go on. If we're both absent, we'll have everyone here making sure we're okay, and then how would we ever get any time alone tonight?"

Reluctantly, Seto let Joey's hand fall to the bed and started digging out his uniform. "I'm sorry about this, Joey. If we'd gone back when you'd wanted to..."

One raised hand silenced him. "Set, believe me, it was more than worth it. I'd do it all over again for the feeling I get in your arms in a heartbeat."

The room was quiet, until Seto finished dressing and grabbed his briefcase, sitting beside his love once more. "Anything I can do before I leave?"

Joey's gaze went to the drawn curtains. "Yeah, you want to let some light in here? Darkness isn't exactly therapeutic."

"Sure thing." The brunet pulled back the drapes, and tossed Joey the remote control, as well as a call button. "Do whatever you like, but I want you resting. Anything you need, the servants do. As you said, that's what they're paid for. Understood?"

"Yes, mother," Joey sighed, "I'm a big boy, Set. I can take care of myself."

One last kiss, this time on the mouth, and Seto was at the bedroom doors. "Remember what I said, puppy. Rest well." With that, he closed the door behind him softly, and Joey was alone. It was the first time he'd been in his boyfriend's room alone, and the absence of the other presence was nearly palpable. Sighing heavily, Joey turned on the television and blew his nose again.

"Never thought I'd want to be in school," he told the mahogany walls.

* * *

Is it just me, or are the chapters getting shorter? Oh well, that means more updates! Be sure to tell me what you guys think, and I'll catch ya when chapter 12 rolls around! Ja ne!